Australian Prime Minister Evacuated Following Bomb Threat Linked to Shen Yun Performances
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was evacuated from his official residence in Canberra on Tuesday after authorities received a bomb threat connected to the Chinese dance and music group Shen Yun. The incident occurred at 18:00 local time (07:00 GMT), with Albanese relocated to another secure location for several hours as a precautionary measure.
Police Response and Threat Details
Police confirmed they attended an "alleged security incident" at the Lodge, the prime minister's home, but reported that nothing suspicious was located after a thorough investigation. The threats originated from emails sent to Shen Yun performers, demanding the cancellation of upcoming Australian shows or else explosives would be detonated at the Lodge.
One email, written in Chinese, claimed that large quantities of nitro-glycerine explosives had been placed around the residence. It warned, "If you insist on proceeding with the performance, then the Prime Minister's Lodge will be blown into ruins and blood will flow like a river." Shen Yun reported the threat to police, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Shen Yun's Stance and Global Context
In a statement to the BBC, Shen Yun announced they would proceed with their performances in Australia and called for a "comprehensive investigation" into the threat. The group, founded by the banned religious movement Falun Gong in 2006, has faced numerous threats worldwide over the past two years. Falun Gong has been outlawed in China since 1999, when the government labeled it an illegal cult, and Shen Yun performances often include subtle critiques of the Chinese Communist Party.
A similar bomb threat last week in the United States forced an evacuation at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, where the threat was also directed at Shen Yun, highlighting a pattern of security concerns.
Political Reactions and Aftermath
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Albanese thanked police and the public for their support in a social media post, sharing a photo of his cavoodle with the caption: "Toto on alert but all good." Later that day, interrupted by protesters at an event, he reiterated calls to lower the temperature of political debate, stating, "I think it's just a reminder to take every opportunity to tell people turn the heat down, for goodness sake, we can't take these things for granted."
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday she was "not aware of the actual situation" and added that China consistently opposes all forms of violent attacks. An unnamed Australian government source told the ABC that people should not "jump to any conclusions" about the bomb threat, suggesting it could have come from a community member hostile to Falun Gong rather than a state actor.
This incident underscores ongoing tensions surrounding Shen Yun's performances and the broader geopolitical dynamics involving China and dissident groups. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as performances are set to go ahead in Australia.
